Tamron announced the new 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DI VC USD lens. It will be available for A-mount sometimes in 2014. Price hasn’t been unveiled yet.
That’s the full press text (Click on link to read it).
November 7, 2013, Commack, N.Y. – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, has announced the development of an innovative ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a focal length range of 150mm to 600mm for full-frame and APS-C format DSLR cameras. The lens sample will be on display in the Tamron booth at the Salon de la Photo 2013 that will be held from November 7-11 in Paris, France. Pricing and delivery information are not available at this time.
Tamron’s current 200-500mm (Model A08) is a popular, compact, easy-to-use ultra-telephoto zoom lens, but customers have shown great interest in having a lens that provides an even greater focal length range.
This all-new ultra-telephoto zoom lens features VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, speedy, precise USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)(3), state-of-the-art eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating, which significantly reduces the unwanted light reflections that cause flare and ghosting, and a sophisticated and stylish new external finish.
Its 4x ultra-telephoto zoom capabilities, with a focal length range from 150mm to 600mm, enhance the creative potential of telephoto photography, a captivating feature for all photographers, particularly nature, wildlife, and sports shooters.
Product Highlights
- 4x ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a focal length range of 150mm to 600mm
The focal length range of this lens was extended by 50mm on the wide-angle side and 100mm on the telephoto side compared to the existing model A08, making it possible to take even more striking photographs of birds, wildlife, sports, and other distant subjects. Mounted on APS-C DSLR cameras, it has a stunning near1000mm telephoto equivalent focal length range of 233mm to 930mm. - World class image quality
Employing 20 elements in 13 groups and boasting an advanced optical design, the lens delivers a superior balance of resolution and contrast for sharp, clear images. The front group contains three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements (two in the first group, one in the third) for enhanced optical correction effectiveness, enabling the lens to thoroughly compensate for on-axis aberrations at the telephoto end. The lens also adopts eBAND Coating, developed from state-of-the-art coating technologies, and conventional BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating to greatly suppress ghosting and flare even when shooting under adverse lighting conditions.
- Achieves a 600mm focal length in a compact easy-to-handle package
Ingenious optical design features minimize the movement of lens groups within the lens when zooming. This reduces the amount of barrel extension needed to cover the complete focusing range, making the entire lens more compact.
- Beautiful background blur effects
Adopting a 9 blade circular diaphragm enables users to create beautiful background blur effects (Bokeh), which provide even greater potential for creative expression. This circular diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even at two stops down from its maximum aperture.
- VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism creates greater opportunities for sharper handheld photography
Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization system uses a three-coil system, delivering significantly sharper images and creating greater opportunities for handheld ultra-telephoto photography.
- Comfortable autofocus
Tamron’s new SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD features a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) ultrasonic motor drive for swift and accurate AF response, it delivers high torque, very fast response times, and very low noise. The full-time manual focus mechanism allows users to make fine manual focus adjustments at any time even when AF is engaged.
- New elegant, high-class external finish
Tamron has upgraded the cosmetic design and finish of this lens to create a more sophisticated, high-end look in keeping with the demands of discerning full-frame DSLR users. Employing a sophisticated linear pattern rubber grip on the zoom and focus rings and an attractive and stylish tungsten silver brand ring, this newly designed model accentuates its visceral presence with understated elegance and class.
- Easy-to-use tripod mount
The tripod mount has been completely redesigned to provide superior stability, durability, ease of use, and portability.
- Comes with “SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron”, RAW image development processing software for Tamron’s SP lenses
The SILKYPIX Developer Studio software can develop high-quality images from RAW data, incorporating adjustments that can express the personal style and taste of the photographer. These include white balance, color, sharpness, and the tonal curves recorded by digital cameras. The SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron provides a range of functions, in addition to the basic adjustment capabilities, such as correcting aberrations (chromatic aberrations of magnification, distortion, peripheral light fall-off), based on the optical data. Used in tandem with Tamron’s SP series lenses – renowned for their high-depiction capability – this advanced technology efficiently produces images that meet photographers’ most exacting demands.
(3) USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) is Tamron’s proprietary ring-type ultrasonic motor.
| Specifications(4) | |
| Model | A011 |
| Focal Length | 150-600mm |
| Maximum Aperture | F/5-6.3 |
| Angle of view (diagonal) | 16°25’ – 4°8’ (for full frame format)10°38’ – 2°40’ (for APS-C format) |
| Lens Construction | 20 elements in 13 groups |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 106.3 in (2.7m) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 1:5 |
| Filter Size | Ø95mm |
| Maximum Diameter | Ø105.6mm |
| Length (5) | 10.1 in (257.8mm) |
| Weight | 68.8 oz (1,951 g) |
| No. of Diaphragm Blades | 9 (circular diaphragm) (6) |
| Minimum Aperture | F/32-40 |
| Standard Accessories | Lens hood, detachable tripod mount |
| Compatible Mounts | Canon, Nikon, Sony(7) |
| Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. may be changed without prior notice. | |
(4) Length and weight are based on figures for the Nikon-mount lens.
(5) Length is the distance between the front tip of the lens and the mount face.
(6) This circular diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even when taken at two stops down from its maximum aperture.
(7) The Sony mount does not include VC, since Sony digital SLR bodies include built-in image
52 Responses
Filter size 95mm!!!!! Good luck finding a filter for this beast. Not that necessarily you need one though …
Found them, no problem. Expensive though.
Why do people still use filters?! Unless its a polarizer, or you’re using the lens in a mine shaft or under a car getting oil drops on it, there’s NO reason for a filter unless you like having your image degraded!
Hank, it is worth protecting our investments. I replace my filter every couple of years, trust me, if you shoot in adverse conditions its nice to have it on there. Here in the Turks & Caicos, it is a very challenging environment to shoot in- constant dust and salt in the air. My filter has also prevented scratches, damage from makeup/hairspray, etc.
I used to think the same thing, about not wanting a $40 filter on my $2000 zeiss lens. I tested myself with 30 images, half with, half without filter- Could not tell, meaning my clients sure as hell can’t!
One thing to point out is that the lens hood on this Tamron is probably so gigantic that the filter/protection argument is probably also null.
Absolutely agree. I have shot in a boat out in the sea for around 2 hours and I’m glad to have used a filter
Because in life crap happens. I normally leave the cap off and use the filter as protection. I take it off when I am taking really important pictures. Filters have saved me a few times from clumsy people and children
There may not be a reason to use special effect filters so much, but there are many reasons to use ND filters, graduated ND filters and/or polarizing filters for those that are exacting and strive for high image quality.
+1 Hank
Want to protect the lens? Use the lens hood
I am ALWAYS using a filter. And after 2-3 years of use I look at this filter and see LOTS of tiny scratches. If they are on a filter, that’s totally ok. I can just replace it. But if I’d used the lens without a filter, all those scratches would appear on the fron element. Which is not acceptable for me at all.
Obligatory
http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html
I never understood why a company chooses to announce a product without pricing info. Maybe it’s to drum up interest again after a week or two, but it’s still very annoying.
600mm? Hmmm….got me interested now.
Yep. Pretty much the first modern 600mm lens for A-mount.
It’s pathetic that 3rd party company had to make it and Sony couldn’t.
“(7) The Sony mount does not include VC, since Sony digital SLR bodies include built-in image”
They need to quit doing this with the A7/r being released 🙁
If you want to use this on an A7(R) you better off getting the canon version and as Barry points out below as a bonus you also get teleconverters. The canon version has the advantage of recording the exif info as well if the adapter supports the lens.
Good luck with focusing on the Canon version…
Metabones Smart adapter takes care of the focusing and IS situation just fine. A little slower on the AF for USM lenses but plenty accurate.
Sony mount doesnt include vc, but they have same price with vc???
Why?
Its a slap in the face to sony users to add further insult they make telextenders for canon and nikon but not sony.
Given a choice I would buy from sigma because they actually give sonu users the stabilization they pay for.
Now that Ive said all that….this is still a musy have lens for me so I am going to ignore my frustration with tamron.
Its not a slap in anyone’s face. They release what is economical. See…Tamron isn’t in the charity business, they’re not in business to be your friend, Barry, they exist for one reason only, to make money off us. If their market studies prove that a Sony teleconverter wont be profitable for them, they dont make it. To those of us who wish it different; that’s the price we pay by owning the Underdog mount. For every 15 Canon lenses, they probably only sell 1 Sony lens.
The reason the non VC Sony lenses are the same price as the Canikon VC lenses – because they all likely include the VC equipment inside them, locked in place so it cant move, and without all the wiring and being disconnected. I know some of the older lenses, like the 18-270 DO have the VC hardware, just disabled with screws locking it down (I disassembled one, so I know). Should it be enabled now, considering the A7/A7R? Absolutely…
VR should either work or a discount for sony mount given
Even without either of thes this lens (if not too expensive) is a good value and i want one.
It’s ridiculous it simply isn’t included. The only logical reason I can think of is that they do not put the VR part in the lens for a slightly better profit margin. The shortsightedness in that approach is that some users may want this lens for e-mount and the VR would be highly useful for them. Or they think a-mount users are not clever enough to use enable steady shot OR VR.
I can understand (to a small degree) why they won’t price it any differently than Canon or Nikon versions with VR. If they knock off, say $50, then they are announcing to consumers that their VR is only worth that much.
+1 animalsbybarry.
Even a small discound would make what they do more palatable.
Its definitely morr a matter of principle than anything else.
Hank,
I’d say this is Tamron slapping their own face. I was about to blow my limited wad on a Tamron 70-300mm Di VC USD SP for my NEX + LAEA2 – after seeing some excellent reviews.
But after discovering it didn’t support VC – I thought to “hell with them”, and bought a Sony 55-300 instead. The extra cost for the much bigger Tamron would have been worth it with VC, but without, I settled for the lower lens.
The more users that have e-mount cams without IBIS, the more it makes sense to include it on the lens. I guess I might be in the small minority though with a LAEA2 – more so as I got it for free from the Sony Store.
I do not understand why people has to complain about 3rd party company charging the same for their lenses that offered to Sony camera even though they are removing the OS or VC??
all these 3rd party manufacturers are copying what Sony does to you. Sony charges a lot more for their 70-200mm 2.8 non IS of course for similar lens offering from canon for example, canon 70-200 2.8 non IS. and do not forget the Sony’s version is not as good as the canon version.
I want this lens.
Dotline makes a DL-V9 dslr camera support that would make handholding this lens easy.
It sells for $149.
It supports up to 10 lb which should be enough for this lens and a camera
Disappointing that they remove VC on the Sony version as I’ll be owning an a7 soon… but here’s the thing, a lens like this belongs on a tripod. I have a sweet little ball-head-to-gimbal adapter and it works excellently. So the lens is still interesting. Its VC isn’t tripod compatible like Nikon’s anyway so in reality, nothing but insane-handheld-600mm photography is limited here.
Just wish the price reflected the loss of VC equipment when Tamron does alpha lenses.
Agreed that tamron should charge a little less for sony mount if they put less into it.
As for shooting on tripod…I rarely shoot long lenses on tripod.
I have a camera sopport i use to handhold a camera almost as still as a tripod that i described in an earier post…however the dotline device i described in this post should work similar to my home made gadget.
Note ..take pictures in bursts and discard the first and last if possiple…also lean on solid objects when possible.
Surely you’ll need an adapter for any of the mounts to get to the E-mount, so can’t you just buy the non-sony version? I guess that prevents you using it on any other A-mount cameras you own, which is somewhat limiting, but if you only plan to use it on the A7/A7R…
That is the dilemna for sony users.
Sony has not seen fit to be consistent with ibis therefore sony users have an incompatable system to deal with.
PROS:
600 zoom
CONS:
Very slow
Questionable image quality
Lack of stabilization
CONCLUSION:
Probably the best you can get within the 150 to 600 range.
Pros
600Mm
Lightweight
Compact size
Fasst focus with hypersonic motor
Optimized for best performannce at long end
20% more reach than 500
40% more light gathering power than 500
Cons
No vr for sony, no discount.
No available tamron teleextender
A faster lens would be heavier, more expensive
This is much faster than a cat lens.
I both agreed with 2 of your opinions and differed with 2
Thats what we do it is not intended as an attack and if it seemed like one then I appologize
The only reason you replied to my post is to attack my input. You suck and go fuck yourself.
PMS?
I hope ypu will continue to post your opinions as it was not my intention to discourage you.
no need tamron telextender if you have kenko 1.5x for minolta…
I already have the 50-500mm “Bigma” that I use for outdoor sports, but this Tamron looks intriguing to me. I find I use the Bigma mostly at the longer end of its range but it can sometimes be a little soft there. I’m hoping that this Tamron will be sharper at 450mm and beyond.
The Canon Tamron 150-600mm 5-6.3 on a NEX APS-C :
+ Canon EF speed booster would give you 150-600mm 3.5-4.5
+ Canon adaptor would give you 225-900mm 5-6.3 (only manual focus)
Anybody any idea how focussing and stabilisation would perform with the EF speed booster?
AF with the adapted Canon lenses is useless for anything that moves (very, very, very slow, even comapred to slowest E Mount lens) but IS works just fine. I’ve owned the Speedbooster and Metabones Smart Adapter Mark II and Mark III and tested this with several lenses.
24MPix 900mm photos mmmmmm… Tasty.
To bad about the non VC in Sony version. Thats just bad news.
Since many will soon have new ILCE cameras
Anyone have an idea of where pricing will be on this lens in USD? I currently have a Bigma from Sigma, but would most likely sell it to get this one, as I could use a touch more reach from time to time.
Cheers.
if you have a Sigma with OS and HSM don’t sell for this… No VC (OS) on Sony version, so no stabilized image in EVF or LCD, oh and you still get to pay just as much as the Canikon crew that actually do get a VC (OS) lens
oh and the sources here have see the pattern for Tamron replacement lenses….it seems that the new version are double th e price of the old one…. so 200-500 = $1200 US, that likely makes this new one approx. $2399
In Finland it is estimated to pay only 1300 EUR!
http://www.digitarvike.fi/tamron_150-600mm_f5-63_supertele_canon
And delivery time would be 12.2013, not reasonable .-?
at 2013-11-08 – 1300 EU = 1,737 USD
Possibly less….lower taxes
No vr is a problem only for r mount with adapter…a mount still has ibis.
If leaving out vr saves tamron money that saving should be passed on to us…
If leaving out vr does not save tamron money then it should not be left out..should be like sigma.
Any news on a release date?